Author note: I apologize for the delay. No excuses but if you must know I blame that giant block in my head that says WRITER on the side of it.
Warning this is unbetaed. Read at your own risk.
And I still don't own them… Damn.
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As Olivia predicted Alex was relieved to see she was okay but fuming that her calls had gone unanswered. Not that she actually came out and said anything. Olivia observed the clenched jaw and the lack of eye contact. Alex made her way to the kitchen as Olivia hung her jacket over the back of the sofa.
As she waited for Alex to return Olivia could practically hear the lawyer arguing with herself about what she should say. A couple of firmly shut cabinet doors and a slammed refrigerator later Alex came back with two tall glasses of ice water. The inquiry as to where Olivia had apparently won the dispute.
"I went out for lunch." Olivia refused to elaborate on her answer.
Alex was clearly unsatisfied but didn't push for more of an explanation. Olivia found Alex's surrender irritating even though she didn't feel the need to explain. The conflicting emotions were confusing and led Olivia to anger. Olivia ignored the feelings and asked Alex about her day.
Alex had been in and out of court all day and Olivia was glad to see that she had won most her motions. She listened to the lilt and tone of Alex's voice and felt herself calming. The strong, sarcastic lawyer was the person that Olivia loved and it didn't take more than the sound of her voice to make Olivia feel secure.
Even though Olivia was on medical leave she was still required to appear in court to testify. The following day she was to testify against Daniel Tobias. Both women found him to be more repulsive than most suspects. His choice of victim was below the age of ten and it had taken Benson and Stabler a great deal of effort to build an airtight case.
Alex had another reason for wanting the maximum punishment for the repulsive man. He had some how freed himself from the handcuffs in the interrogation room and assaulted both Munch and Benson. It had ended when badass Benson made an appearance for which he was suing the NYPD. His attack on Olivia, though she wasn't hurt, made Alex uncompromising on any sort of deal. Not that they needed one.
They spent a good hour reviewing Olivia's testimony and Alex making a few changes to her game plan. The complications brought on by the assault on an officer charge didn't worry Alex but she was always through. Olivia felt herself relaxing even more. While working through the nuances of the deposition Olivia actually felt like herself again. Alex, in full killer Cabot mode, fired questions at the Detective doing her best to rattle her. By the time they finished both were satisfied with the results.
Olivia stood and stretched. She made her way to the bathroom and when she returned she found Alex looking through her substantial collection of delivery menus.
"How about I make dinner?" Olivia asked picking up her empty water glass.
"Delivery is fine. You need to stay off your feet," Alex told her. The blonde was still studying the dinner options she missed Olivia closing her eyes for a brief moment. She didn't miss the sigh that went with the expression though. Alex asked, "What?"
"It wont hurt me to make dinner Alex," Olivia said more harshly than she really meant to.
"I just think you shouldn't push it. Besides Vicky and the kids will be here in soon," Alex replied hesitantly.
"Fine. Order whatever," Olivia said with a shrug. She took her glass to the kitchen and refilled it. She scowled at her ankle as she drank. Not using her crutches this afternoon had caught up with her but she wasn't about to admit how much it hurt.
Alex vacillated between food choices looking to Olivia for a hint of what to order. The detective's monotone responses and shrugs offered no clues. In the end she picked pizza because she knew that Olivia loved a deep-dish veggie pie.
As they ate Alex watched Olivia pick at her slice. She hesitated again then asked, "Something wrong with your pizza?"
"I'm not very hungry," Olivia told her.
"Big lunch?" Alex asked wiping her mouth.
As badly as she wanted to Olivia couldn't lie, "I had half a ham and cheese from ninety one oh eight."
"You went out to Queens?" Alex inquired in an extremely polite tone.
What are we strangers? Rattled in Olivia's head.
"Elliot brought it," she answered in a tone just as reserved as Alex's.
Olivia ate almost five full bites before quitting. Alex didn't comment though she really wanted too. They continued the civility as Alex finished eating and as they discussed Olivia's lunch with Elliot. Alex wanted details and she knew she could form the questions to get them. She didn't out of respect for Olivia's privacy. Olivia could feel Alex backing down from what she really wanted to know and found it grating.
The strained atmosphere was nearly stifling by the time the three Brewers arrived. It ebbed quickly as the kids were excited to be in the city. Vicky had taken them to the zoo and they wanted to share everything they had seen. Olivia sat on the couch with Gus cuddled in her lap as they listened to Kyla prattle on about the animals. It wasn't long before Gus nodded off and the wind ran out of Kyla's sail. The young girl slid next to Olivia and leaned into her. A few quiet minutes later Kyla and Olivia had also both fallen asleep.
Alex found herself looking at the trio fondly. It wasn't uncommon to find the three of them snuggled together, reading or Olivia making up a story for them. Olivia was great with kids and Alex's niece and nephew loved the detective ferociously. Vicky nudged her and nodded her head toward the dining area off the kitchen. Alex followed her younger sister out of the room and found herself being enveloped in a hug.
"Thanks," Alex told her when Vicky finally let go.
"You looked like you needed it. How have things been?" Vicky asked as she sat down at the two-person dining table. Alex grabbed a bottle of wine from the rack, two glasses and joined her sister. Vicky repeated her question.
Alex wavered for a brief moment then told Vicky about the tension that had been hovering in her relationship with Olivia. Vicky had always been a good sounding board. As a rule the younger sister was always honest though for the most part she delivered her advice rolled up in humor. Vicky listened to Alex's side of the story not speaking until Alex ran out of steam.
"Describe Olivia for me," Vicky said pouring herself a second glass of wine. She topped of Alex's and waited.
Alex looked at her strangely but did as she was asked, "Bright, loyal, funny. Determined, yeah she's determined. She's independent and protective. She's…"
"Hot," Vicky supplied and Alex raised her eyebrows.
"Yes she is," Alex agreed with a smirk. "She's softer than anyone knows."
"You're making me jealous. When we met the first thing I noticed about her was her swagger. I thought she was arrogant but then I could see… I don't know what it is. Vulnerability maybe. She didn't have a very good childhood did she?" Vicky asked.
"Not really," Alex admitted to nothing more.
"And now she's an independent, confident woman."
"Yes," Alex said wondering where her sister was going with this.
"A woman you are hovering over," Vicky pointed out and Alex scowled.
"I love her and she's been hurt. Why wouldn't I want to help her?" Alex demanded.
"Does she want your help?" Vicky asked and Alex nearly flinched. "I don't mean that in a bad way Alex. Olivia's strong and self-reliant. I doubt she's ever had help dealing with her emotions. When we were kids we had plenty of support. Who did Olivia have?"
Herself, Alex thought glumly.
"She's not used to someone holding her up. You said that things seemed fine when you were working. How were you treating her then? Like an equal or someone who needed to be coddled?"
"I just want her to let me in," Alex said softly.
"I'm sure she will eventually but you need to back off and let her heal at her own tempo. Drop your expectations," Vicky told her.
"What?" Alex asked.
"Look at the kids. They expected Olivia to be herself and she was. Is. Whatever. You're expecting Olivia to fall apart? Expecting her to lean on you for support? Forget it. Just let it come and quit hovering. I saw you at moms," Vicky said as Alex geared up to interrupt. "You acted like she was going to shatter."
"I'm afraid she might," Alex admitted.
"And if she does you'll be there to pick up the pieces. I'm not saying it's all your fault, Alex. Olivia should know by now that she can lean on you."
"She won't," Alex was convinced absolutely.
"She would if you let her find her balance. The shooting knocked her on her emotional ass. You wont even let her get up. Give her some time and let her come to you," Vicky advised.
Of course it wasn't that easy.
Olivia awoke and carefully extracted herself from the kids. She tucked each of them under a blanket on opposite ends of the couch. Then she pulled the coffee table away. Gus had a habit of rolling out of bed and she didn't want him to bash his body on the sharp edges of the glass.
She found Alex and Vicky at the dining table sharing a bottle of wine. From the looks of them the conversation was serious.
"Hi," Alex said. She offered Olivia her glass but the detective passed instead opting for the last of the Corona. When she rejoined them Alex slid over carefully and Olivia sat down next to her on the chair.
"Aren't you two cute?" Vicky asked as Olivia slid her arm around Alex.
"I thought you said Olivia was hot," Alex pointed out.
The detective stopped the beer bottle half way to her mouth hesitating for just a moment. She took a sip with her smirk and said, "I didn't know you cared."
"Oh I've always rated my sisters significant others."
"On what scale?" Olivia asked in amusement. Vicky and Alex were both buzzing a little.
"Alfred Newman to Julie Ranger," Vicky said wickedly thinking of the photo spread of the young actress she had seen in Tanners copy of FHM.
"Well I hope I'm closer to Julie than Fred," Olivia said dryly. Alex squeezed her knee but her face was a mask. Both of the women at the table could see that she was amused.
"Oh definitely," Vicky confirmed.
Their conversation, slightly drunken on the part of the blonde sisters, continued. Olivia listened to them enjoying the banter and lighthearted teasing. At one point she found herself flirting with Vicky. Alex didn't mind as she was entertained watching her sister fall under Olivia's charms.
When Vicky went off to use the restroom Alex leaned into Olivia's shoulder. The dark haired detective turned and kissed her softly. Alex sighed wishing it could stay like this indefinitely.
"Alex?" Olivia asked.
"Mmmm?"
"I think I need to stay at my place tonight," Olivia told her. Alex sat up quickly nearly falling off the chair they shared. Olivia tightened her grip on Alex's waist.
"What? Why?" Alex asked shaking off the wines effect.
"There isn't room for all of us here. Besides my suits are at my place. I can't wear jeans to court," Olivia replied. Alex thought for a moment and graced Olivia with a look that told her what she thought of Olivia's excuses. Then she leaned back into Olivia's shoulder.
"I don't want you to go," she said.
"We… I think we need some space Alex," Olivia told her.
"You need space. I need you," Alex replied.
"I'm sorry," Olivia whispered.
"Me too," Alex replied as Vicky came back into the room. Alex stood up slowly and slunk past her sister. Olivia sighed, and then buried her face in her hands. She didn't want to hurt Alex but she knew that if she stayed the night things would only get worse.
Vicky watched as Olivia gathered her things. Alex helped her even though all three of them knew that Alex didn't want Olivia to leave. Olivia tossed her duffle over her shoulder and Vicky hugged her. Vicky left the room so that Alex could say what she wanted.
A few minutes after Vicky heard the door close Alex entered the bedroom. She put down the forensic magazine she had found on the bed table and studied Alex. Alex looked like a lost puppy. She offered her big sister a hug and Alex buried her face in Vicky's shoulder.